Door latching mechanism



Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,539,759

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.m4 DEMAQ- A. EWDTEQ,

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p 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,689,759

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 9 1951 g v 5? W 7 Sheets-Sheet 2'IIIIIIIII IIIII/MUIllIIIIIIIIIIIII/l VII,

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INVENTOR. W44 05444? A. Exvozee,

Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,689,759

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM PV /4.405 442 A. Evarse,

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Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER noon LATCHING MECHANISM 4 mm R t 0 w 0 0 ma, If V w .w m r TVILOEMAQA. Ezvorsae, BY

Filed April 9, 1951 ATrae/s/Ey.

Sgpt. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,689,759

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 9 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.WADE/14,442 A. 52/0752,

ArToQ/VEK Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,639,759

DOOR LATCI-IING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet e IN V ENTOR. W 14 05 442 A. EV

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Sept. 21, 1954 Filed April 9, l

w. A. ENDTER 2,689,759 DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 7INVENTOR. MLDEMAE A. Evorge,

Arroeusy- Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE DOORLATCHING MECHANISM Waldemar A. Endter, Long Beach, Calif. ApplicationApril 9, 1951, Serial No. 219,937

1'7 Claims.

This invention has to do with improvements in door latching and lockingmechanisms of a type especially adaptable to automobile doors by reasonof the particular operating and control characteristics of themechanisms.

More particularly, the invention relates to locking and latching deviceswhich may be described generally as comprising a holding assembly ormechanism to be carried by a door for control by so-called outside andinside operators, and em bodying the combination of a bolt movablebetween latched and unlatched positions, and a cam mounted in spacedrelation to the bolt. The stationarily or pillar mounted component ofthe latch device comprises a keeper structure mounted for receptionbetween the bolt and cam parts of the door-carried holding mechanism sothat in the latched condition of the parts, the keeper is held indove-tail confinement between the bolt and cam.

The primary objects of the invention are directed to the embodiment in aholding mechanism and keeper combination thus characterized, of variousnovel features responsible for secure and efii'cient performance of thedevice under all operating conditions. Among the important objects is toadapt the mechanism for efficient take-up action, and specifically in amanner such that upon dove-tail reception of the keeper structurebetween the bolt and cam, the latter comes into such cooperation withthe keeper structure as to produce a progressive take-up action tendingto crowd the door to fully closed position and to efiec'tively resistopening movement of the door from that position.

Preferably I employ a keeper structure comprising a housing containing aspring-urged rotatable keeper element positioned in the path of the boltso that as the door closes, the keeper element engages and overrides thebolt to a position of confinement at what may be termed a rear side ofthe bolt. During the course of the bolt and keeper interengagement thecam is brought to act against the keeper structure, and preferablyagainst a curved surf-ace of its housin a manner such as to create aprogressive and continuing reaction transmitted through the cam to thedoor-carried parts, and a corresponding closing take-up action on thedoor.

The type of bolt employed preferably is one mounted for oscillatorymovement between latched and unlatched positions, and directly orindirectly spring-urged in a latching direction. Particularlycontemplated is the provision of a holding element cooperating with thebolt norm'ally to block its antilatching movement, and releasable by theinside or outside operators to free the bolt for release. As willappear, further controls may be used in association with the holdingelement, as to prevent its release from block tive embodiments, will bemade apparent from the following description of the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section taken through the door and pillar at theiropposed edges, with the door 7 fully closed and the pearing in plane;

Fig. 2 is a view taken from the plane of line 2-2 in Fig. l, show-ing inelevation the doorcarried holding mechanism with the keeper structurereceived between the bolt and take-up cam;

Fig. 3 is a view taken online 3-3 of Fig. 1 illustrating the keeperstructure in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the holding mechanism partsexposed within the case and in fully latched association with the keeperstructure;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6 andillustrating the push button connection with the blocking lever;

Fig. 10 is a cross section on line lO-Hl of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section on line I l-l l of Fig. 6 showing thekey-actuated arm connection with the blocking lever;

Fig. 12 is a cross section on line Iii-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view showing certain of the holding mechanism parts in thepositions assumed upon release of the bolt through actuation of the outside opera-tor;

Fig. 14 is a view illustrating the relationship of certain of the partsupon partial opening of the door to a safety catch position;

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the positions assumed by the partsupon movement of the bolt to unlatched position by the inside operator;

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate a progression of the positions taken bythe bolt, takeup cam and latch mechanism parts apkeeper structure as thedoor closes from open to latched position;

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken on line I9-l9 of Fig. 21,illustrating a variational form of the invention;

Fig. 20 is a view of the keeper structure taken on line 2620 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a view taken on line 2l-2| of Fig. 19, showing certain of theholding mechanism parts at .the inside of one flange of the doorcarriedcase;

Fig. 22 is a View taken on line 22-22 showing the associated holdingmechanism parts at the inside of a second flange of the case;

Fig. 23 is a cross section taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24-. is a cross section on line 24-25 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a section taken on line 25 -25, of Fig. 23, and Fig. 26 is afragmentary view showing certain parts of Fig. 22 in changed positions.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to18, and particularly to the door and pillar assembly showing of Fig. 1,the latch mechanism comprises a holding mechanism, generally indicatedat 25 contained by the swinging door 21, and specifically by applicationto its edge face 28, and a keeper structure, generally indicated at 29,stationarily applied to the edge face 30 of the usual door frame orpillar 3|. The door and pillar are shown to carry cushions 32 and 33which in the illustrated closed position of the door, bear respectivelyagainst the pillar and door shoulders 34 and 35. The hollow doorstructure is shown to contain the window glass 35 received andvertically movable within the channel-shaped glass run 36 carried by theinside of the metal edge piece 28. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the holdingmechanism 25 being mounted at the outside of the door edge, is entirelyfree from interference with the glass window and its run, and is sopositioned as to be controllable, in the manner later explained, by theoutside push button operator mechanism generally indicated at 31, andthe inside door handle mechanism generally indicated at 38.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the keeper structure 29 is shown tocomprise a housing 39 containing a base plate 40 and attached to thepillar edge 30 by screws 4! with plate 40 confined between the pillarface and the housing flange 39a. The housing contains a keeper 42mounted for pivotal movement on pin 43 terminating in plate 420 and at44 in the outer wall of the housing. As illustrated, the keeper 42projects out of the open bottom of the housing and has at 46 an arcuateshoulder extending about the arcuate edge 4'! of the housing.

Keeper 42 is constantly urged in a direction of clockwise rotation asviewed in Fig. 3, by coil spring 48, one end of which terminates at 49in the keeper, with the other terminal of the spring bearing against lug50 struck out of the base plate 50. The keeper is rotatable between thelimits of engagement between its shoulder 5| with edge 52 of the housing39, and engagement of the end of the keeper slot 53 with the housingedge at 54. It may be observed at this point that the keeper edge 55presents a curved surface engageable, as will appear, against the bolt,and that beyond this surface the keeper has a safety catch notch 56cooperable with the bolt as explained hereinafter. Also it is noted thatthe housing 39 presents at 51 an arcuate surface engageableprogressively and smoothly by the later described take-up cam.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 6 and 7, the holding mechanism 25comprises a case 26 shaped to provide at 58 a recess for reception ofthe keeper structure 29 in the latched association of the partsappearing in Figs. 2 and 6. The top and bottom flanges 59 and 60 of thecase are attached to the door edge 28 by screws 6|. Referring to Figs. 6and 7, the housing 26 contains a base plate 63 which, together with theouter wall of the housing 26, terminally receives the pivot pins 64, 65,66 and 16. The extent of the base plate about the recess 28 and at 65aat the inside of the case flanges 59 and 66, appears clearly in Fig. 6.

The case contains a bolt 61 pivoted intermediate its ends on the pin 66for movement between the latched and unlatched positions appearingrespectively in Figs. 6 and 13. One end 61a of the bolt, presenting anouter curved face 68, an upper nose 69 and an inclined inwardly facingsurface '10, is projectible up through opening H in the case adjacentthe curved case wall 12 at the inside of the recess 58. The bolt has aninner extent or arm 61b presenting a curved edge 12, and a safety catchnotch at E3. As illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6, the thicknessof the bolt arm 61b is reduced to provide at its far side a shoulder 14for engagement by the spring urged setting crank generally indicated at15;, as will later appear.

The bolt ii is urged for rotation in a clockwise direction about pin 66as viewed in Fig. 6

.by the setting crank mounted for rotation about pin 16. terminating inthe base plate 63 and housing '26, the crank being urged to rotatecounterclockwise about the pin by coil spring '5? encircling the pin,one end of the spring bearing against the base plate lug E8 and theother end at it against the crank. The latter has an arm 33 bearingagainst the bolt shoulder iii and thus tending to maintain the bolt inthe latched position. of Fig. 6, and a second arm 8i presenting a curvedface 32.

Normally the bolt 67 is blocked against antilatching rotation by anoutside operator actuated means including a holding lever 53 and a triger element 53!, both pivotally mounted on pin 65. Element 83i is urgedfor clockwise rotation about the pin by coil spring 24 bearing at oneend against the element lug t5. As illustrated in Fig. 6, by reason ofthe relative rotatability of arm 53 and element 33!, lug 86 is spacedfrom surface 8? of the arm for reception of the upper end of the crankarm 8| so that curved surface 82 of the latter bears against the armface Near its lower end the trigger element 83! has a curved shoulder 66engageable against the bolt surface 72a. to block the bolt againstantilatching rotation from fully latched position, and engageable alsoagainst the notch shoulder lg to hold the bolt in a safety catchposition, as will later appear. As best illustrated in Fig. l, the upperend of the lever 83 is turned at E3! to extend thr u h an e ing 9 n t ea p a 3 d door edge 28 for engagement by the outside operator 3?. Atthis point it may be observed that upon counter-clockwise rotation aboutpin arm 83 displaces the crank 15 against the resistance of spring ll,moving the arm shoulder 83 out of engagement with the bolt face Weinitially to the safety catch position appearing in Fig. 14, and finallyto the fully releasing position as in Fig. 13.

The bolt 6! also is releasable to open or antilatching position by asecond or inside operator controlled lever 9B2 mounted for oscillationon pin 56 at the inside of the bolt, the right hand extent of the levercarrying a lug 9| engageable upwardly against the underside of the crankarm 89. The opposite end am is engageabie by the nose 92 of a crank arm93 pivoted on pin 64 and having at its lower end a pivotal connection 95with strap 96 to be connected to the usual inside doorhandle, not shown,and comprising part of the mechanism indicated at 38 in Fig. 1. Thusupon actuation of the inside door handle to rotate arm 93 clockwise asViewed in Fig. 10, lug 9i engages and rotates the setting crank I5clockwise against the resistance of its spring to an extent releasingthe bolt to open position as illustrated in Fig. 15. It will be notedthat the same rotation of the setting crank engages its arm 3i againstlug 8% to rotate the trigger element 83% to the Fig. released positionand out of blocking association with the bolt.

Directly above recess 53, the case contains a cam 93 pivoted on pinfill, the cam depending through opening Iilll in the case and having abottom curved camming surface IGI of progressively increasing radiicounterclockwise about the axis of the pin 96. The cam is urged torotate clockwise and into engagement with the keeper structure, andspecifically the curved surface 5'! of the housing 39, by a coil springI52, one end of which bears against the base plate lug I83 and the otherat I04 against edge I95 of the cam. As shown in Fig. 13, clockwiserotation of the cam under the influence of the spring, is limited by thecam engagement with the case shoulder I65 at the end of the opening I00.

Also mounted on pin 80 is a blocking lever It! which in the course ofits actuation, oscillates between the positions shown in Figs. 6 and 13,the lever being positively urged to the limits of those two positions byan over-center spring Hi8 one end of which terminates at Its in thelever, and the other end at i I I! in the base plate 53. Struck inwardlyfrom arm lilla. of the lever is a lug II! which in the Fig. 6 positionblocks the releasing lever 83, as will later appear. The terminal II 2of the lever arm Idla is received within opening IE3 in anarrn Il iassociated with the later described key controlled parts. On itsunderside, arm Illic carries a lug H5 engageable by the cam edge I 85.The opposite arm Hill) of the blocking lever has a terminal H6, see Fig.received within opening II? in a lever H8 extending through opening II 5in the door edge and pivoted on pin I29 carried by the bracket I2I.Lever I I 61 is connected at I22 to the usual push button rod I 23extending upwardly through the garnish mold of the door. In the solidline position appearing in Fig. 9, the push button rod has been thrustdown to swing lever III? to the Fig. 6 position in which thelever-carried lug I I I is brought into the path of counterclockwiseswinging of the lever extension 83I in slot I2 1, thus blocking lever 83against counterclockwise rotation beyond the point of such engagement.As the push button rod is pulled up to the broken line position of Fig.9, lever IQ! is rotated counterclockwise to the Fig. 13 position,raising lug I I I above and out of the path of the lever extension 83 IReferring now to the outside operator mechanism as particularlyillustrated in Figs. 1, 11 and 12, a polygonal cross section shaft I 26extending through opening I21 in the door handle I28, carries on itsouter end a key tumbler cylinder I29, between which and the door faceI30 is placed a coil spring I3I so that the shaft I25 is reciprocablelongitudinally against the resistance of the spring by push buttonaction upon exertion of finger pressure against the cylinder I29. Theinner end of the shaft I26 extends through the correspondingly polygonalopening I32 in a bearing I 33 rotatably carried Within a bracket arm I34% extending inwardly from the door edge 25;. The previously describedarm H4 is carried by the bearing I33 for rotation therewith, that is,the shaft I26, bearing and arm I I I are rotatable together in responseto turning of the shaft. As the shaft is pushed inwardly, its inner endengages the holding lever extension 83I to release the trigger 83! fromblocking engagement with the bolt. Upon release of finger pressureagainst the cylinder I29, spring I3I returns the shaft to itsillustrated position. Shaft I 2G is rotatable by insertion and turningof a key within the cylinder I29, and as the shaft is rotated, theblocking lever It! is oscillate-d between the two positions illustratedin Figs. 6 and 13.

In considering the operation of the mechanism, assume first the door tobe closed with the parts positioned as in Fig. 6 and the push button rodI23 to be thrust down in its Fig. 9 solid position. In the resultingFig. 6 position of the lever I37, lug II I lies in the path of the leverextension 82H thus blocking bolt releasing rotation of lever 83 andelement 83I in response to operation of the push but-ton rod I26. Byraising the push button rod I23 to the broken line position of Fig. 9,lever If is thrown to the Fig. 13 position so that movement of theoutside operator I26 can rotate lever 83 in a bolt releasing direction.Depending upon the extent of the lever rotation, it may first be broughtto the intermediate position of Fig. 14, in which the lever shoulder 38engages in the safety catch notch I3 to hold the bolt in a partiallyreleased but still latching position in its holding relation with thekeeper 42. Upon further rotation of the lever 83, the bolt 67 ispermitted to drop to the fully opened position of Fig. 13. It will benoted that at the start of its bolt releasing rotation, the lever has amaximum distance of contact between pivot 65 and the point of engagementbetween surfaces 31 and 32, with resultant maximum mechanical advantagein overcoming the resistance of spring TI to rotate the bolt settingcrank 15. When the bolt is fully released, the parts assume their Fig.13 position in which the keeper structure 29 is freed from its dove-tailretention between the bolt and cam 98, thus permitting the door to open.As the outside operator I26 is released, the parts restore to the Fig.16 position.

From the foregoing it will be understood that a similar sequence of boltreleasing movements occurs upon actuation of the inside operator 93causing lever 962 to rotate trigger 83I in a releasing direction throughthe intermediary and spring resistance of the crank I5. Fig. 15illustrates r the released condition of the parts upon full actuation ofthe inside operator. When the latter is released, the parts (except forlever Hi7) restore to their Fig. 6 positions.

Assume now the door to be open with the parts positioned as in Fig. 16.As the door is swung in a closing direction, face 68 of the bolt isengaged againstthe keeper surface 2 I, and as the bolt further advancesto the Fig. 17 position, nose 59 snaps into the safety catch notch 56 inthe keeper to initially hold the door against reer f Openin mo eme t. Atabout t i poin t e ke p en ges the ottom o n r of the am 98, andas thedoor continues to move inward and the keeper to override the nose of thebolt, the cam is displaced counterclockwise by the consequent rotationof the keeper element, an upper portion 42a of the keeper elementengaging the cam at 98a to effect such cam displacement. At this pointof overriding the nose of the bolt, the keeper is snappedcounterclockwise by its spring 48 downwardly against the bolt surface 15to a latched position corresponding to Fig. 18. It is to be noted thatthe keeper housing surface i n g d by the cam 98 in both Figs. 17 and 18so that the keeper structure is held in dovetail relation with the camand bolt in the safety catch position and all further latched positionsbeyond. As the parts assume their Fig. 18 position, the clockwise thrustof the cam against the keeper housing surface 51 tends to crowd theholding mechanism 29 and door to fully closed positions against theCushions 32 and 35 with a resultant take-up action represented by thetravel of the keeper 42 down along the bolt surface 16 from the Fig. 18position to that illustrated in Fig. 6. It is observed that together thecam edge surface IUI and bolt face III present an inwardly divergent orwedge shaped space or throat, and that as a result of the cam thrustagainst the keeper housing, the keeper structure is subjected to asqueeze between the cam and bolt surfaces, tending to produce a take-updisplacement of the door and holding mechanism parts carried thereby.

It is important that the cam be positively displaced in the above mannerduring bolt overriding movement of the keeper element in order that thetake-up action of the cam may occur after the keeper has moved intolatched engagement with the rear face of the bolt. Unless the camtake-up action is thus delayed until after latching of the keeper andbolt, the full effect of the cam is not attained.

As will be evident from the foregoing, when the door is closed, thelatch mechanism may be locked from the outside by key rotation of theshaft I26 and consequent rotation of arm II4 to swing lever I01 into theblocking position of Fig. 6. Corresponding blocking movement of thelever may result from operation of the push button rod I23 when it isdesired to lock the door at the inside.

Upon occasions, the door may be swung from open to closed position withthe blocking lever I51 in its Fig. 6 position as a result of priorlocking of the parts by key at the outside, or by the push button rod atthe inside of the door. Referring to Figs. 16 to 18, as it strikes thekeeper housing surface 51, the cam is rotated into engagement with theblocking lever lug I I5, following which continued counterclockwiserotation of the cam produces corresponding rotation of the lever I61 indisplacing lug I II to the Fig. 13 position, freeing lever 83 foractuation thereafter by the outside operator.

In Figs. 19 to 24 I show a variational form of the invention havingessentially the same operating characteristics as the previouslydescribed embodiment, but differing primarily in its somewhat simplerconstruction and incorporation within the door, as distinguished fromaccommodation of the door-carried parts mainly outd the door ge as inFig. 1.-v

Referring particularly to Figs. 19 to 21, the latc assem ly compr ses akeep r structure g nerally indicated at I40 carried by the inner face ofthe door pillar HI, and a holding mechanism generally indicated at I42carried Within the door I43 in opposed relation to the keeper structure.As illustrated in Fig. 20, the keeper assembly I40 correspondsessentially to the keeper structure previously described and illustratedin Figs. 3 and 4. Briefly, the assembly may comprise the same form ofhousing I44 attached to the pillar by screws I45 and containing a keeperelement I45 corresponding to the keeper 42 and urged by coil 7 springI41, see Fig, 0, to rotate in a clockwise direction.

As best illustrated in Figs. 19 and 21, the holding mechanism I42comprises a support or case I48 including a flange I49 inside andparalleling the door edge 43, and a second right angle flange I50.Clamped between flange I49 and the door metal is the flange I5I of anopen bottom housing I52, see Fig. 23, containing the take-up cam I53.The cam, corresponding in shape and function to the previously describedcam 98, is carried by pin I54 and is rotatably urged thereon in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in the dotted line cam position ofFig. 21, by coil spring I55 terminally received Within slot I56, theother end of the spring being received within a recess I51 in the cam,see Fig, 25. An arm I58 rotatably carried by the pin I54 at the insideof the case carries a lug I projecting with an arcuate recess ISI in thecam. When rotated counterclockwise from the Fig. 25 position, the camengages the lug at I92 so that the lug and arm 58 are carried with thecam. Rotation of the cam under the influence of the spring is limited bythe engagement of the cam with its housing at I93.

Below and. in spaced relation to the cam, the case contains a pin I6I onwhich is pivotally mounted an arm plate I62 carrying a bolt lug I63extending through and having its flange [63a secured to the inside ofthe plate I62. As illustrated in Figs. 21 and 23 the bolt I53 extendsthrough and is capable of oscillation within a slot I64 in the door edgeand case flange I49.

The bolt I63 and plate I62 normally are retained in their keeperlatching positions of Fig. 21 by crank element I66 pivotally carried bypin I61 and urged by coil spring I68 to rotate clockwise about the pin,one end of the spring bearing at I69 against the retaining element andthe other at I10 against lug I1I struck out of the case. The element I66comprises an arm I12 having shoulder I13 engageable by the lower cornerI14 of plate I62, normally to positively hold the bolt I63 in latchingposition. Beyond shoulder I13, the arm contains a notch I15 forreception of the plate corner I14 in a safety catch position of theparts, reached upon partial release of the bolt from full latchingposition. The element I66 then carries a second arm I16, the

nose I11 of which is engageable against arm I18 of a control plate I19.

The latter is mounted for oscillation on pin I6I and carries a flangeI19a engageable by the diagrammatically indicated longitudinallyreciprocable outside operator or push button rod I86. An over-centerspring I8I terminally connected at I82 and I83 respectively to the plateI19 and case, serves to positively throw the plate to the limits of itsoscillation about the pin I6I. Normally the plate is stopped againstcounterclockwise rotation relative to the bolt plate I62 by engagementof lug I84 carried by plate I19 and enga eable a ai st t e d e of p eI62- Plate I19 has also an arm I85 having 2. turned end I86, the purposeof which will presently appear.

As will be understood from the first described form of the invention, asthe door-carried assembly of Fig. 21 is swung toward the left againstthe keeper structure MG designated by the dotted lines in Fig. 21, thekeep-er element Hi6 overrides the bolt E83, first to the safety catchposition, and then to the progressive latched positions beyond.Simultaneously, the upper face 46a of the keeper element engages againstthe cam face I53a, rotating the cam against the resistance of its springI55 until the cam overrides the keeper housing Hi l, whereupon the camstarts and continues to exert its take-up thrust, the reaction to whichresults in progressive take-up action and closing of the door.

Referring now to the control mechanism shown in Figs. 22 and 26, alongitudinally reciprocable link 202 to be operated by the inside doorhandle, not shown, is pivotally connected at ii of the arm 2132 of alever 263 pivotally mounted at 224. The opposite arm 265 of lever 203has a terminal 286 engageable with the previously described lug its torelease the bolt I53 from latched condition, as will later appear. Thearm 225 carries a depending projection or arm portion 201.

The control mechanism also includes a vertically shiftable link 208guided by pins 264 and 229 extending respectively through slots 2 it and2 I I in the link. The latter contains at its upper end a notch 2I2which receives arm I58 so that the link and arm are interengaged formovement together. Provision is made for positively throwing the linktoward the limits of its vertical travel as defined by the engagement ofpins 204 and 209 with the ends of slots 2H! and 2| I, by means of anover-center spring 2I3, the ends of which are connected respectively tothe link and case flange I550.

The control mechanism also includes a rotor 2M mounted between flangeI50 and a housing plate M5, the rotor to be actuated by key controlledturning outside the door of a shaft receivable within opening 2 I 6 inthe rotor hub. The rotor a plurality of arms, the first 2|! of which isreceivable within a recess 2 l 8 in the link 2518, so that the arm andlink are in eiiect geared for movement together. The rotor carries asecond arm m engageable with a curved camming surface 229 on the arm282, and a third arm 22I underlying arm 26? as viewed in Fig. 2 andadapted to be swung beneath and in blocking relation to lug I85, asillustrated in Fig. 26.

In considering the operation of the latch mechanism shown in Figs. 19 to26, assume the keeper structure to be held in latched condition betweenthe cam and bolt as shown in Fig. 21, and the control mechanism parts tobe positioned as in Fig. 22. As previously described, the bolt I53 maybe released by actuation of the outside operator I82 and resultantrotation of the lever I85 and arms I16 and I12. The bolt may also bereleased by movement toward the right of link 2% in Fig. 22, resultingin movement of the arm terminal 206 downwardly against lug I88, causingbolt releasing rotation of lever I83 and arms I16 and I12 in the samemanner as response to actuation of the outside operator I88.

Assume next that it is desired to lock the door in closed position. Uponkey turning of the rotor 2! t clockwise, arm 22| is swung beneath lug I86, see Fig. 26, thus blocking lever I 85 against bolt releasingrotation. Counterclockwise rotation of the rotor H4 is accommodated 10by upward shifting of the link 228 and rotation of the arm I58.

Next, assume the door to be open with the parts in the locked conditionof Fig. 26 and that the door is to be closed. As the keeper element I46strikes against the bolt I 53, the keeper element is rotated intoengagement with the cam shoulder I53a, producing rotation of the arm I58and downward shifting of the link 238. Through its connection at 2H, 2I8with the link, the rotor 2M is turned clockwise from its Fig. 26position and restored to the Fig. 22 condition, thus all in a mannersuch that restoration of the holding mechanism from locked to unlockedcondition occurs as a result of closing interengagement of the latchmechanism parts.

Finally assume the mechanism to be engaged in fully latched conditionand that it is desired to lock the door at the inside by actuation ofthe link 2G0. Upon shifting of the latter to the left as viewed in Fig.22, the rotor arm 2 I9 is engaged by cam surface 220 on the lever arm2G2 and the rotor is turned counterclockwise to a position correspondingto that of Fig. 26 in which the rotor arm 22I is swung beneath and inblock ing relation to the lug I86.

I claim:

1. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by afirst member and com prising a bolt movable between latched andunlatched positions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt inlatched position, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directionsand positioned in spaced relation to said bolt, means for releasing saidholding means; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second membermovable relative to said first member and positioned for reception indove-tail relation between and in engagement with said cam and bolt.said keeper structure comprising a pivotally mov able latching keeperelement defiectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as oneof said members moves relative to the other to override the bolt andthen engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surfaceprogressively caring against said keeper structure upon movement of thecam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path ofsaid keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby inanti-take-up direction upon such deflection of the keeper element by thebolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding of thebolt by the keeper element, and said cam then moving in said take-updirection to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urgesaid holding mechanism and said keeper structure relatively together ina final closing movement, said keeper element having a shoulderengageable with a shoulder on the earn to displace the cam in saidanti-take-up direction.

2. A latch device as claimed in claim 1, in which said cam and bolt formessentially a wedge-shaped space within which the keeper structure isconfined.

3. A latch device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means mounting saidcam for pivotal movement, and a spring urging the cam in said take-updirection and against the keeper structure.

4. A latch device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means constantlyurging said bolt toward latched position.

i -5. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by afirst member and comprising a bolt movable between latched un- 11latched positions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt inlatched position, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directionsand positioned in spaced relation to said bolt, means for releasing saidholding means; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second membermovable relative to said first member and positioned for reception indove-tail relation between and in engagement with said cam and bolt,said keeper structure comprising a housing and a pivotally movablelatching keeper element partially contained within the housing anddeflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as one of saidmembers moves relative to the other to override the bolt and then engagea rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearingagainst said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-updirection, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper elementat a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction uponsuch deflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held indisplaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeperelement, and said cam then moving in a take-up direction to exertagainst the keeper housing a thrust tending to urge said holdingmechanism and said keeper structure relatively together in a finalclosing movement, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable witha shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said antitake-up directionas the keeper element overrides the bolt.

6. A latch device as claimed in claim 5, comprising means mounting saidcam for pivotal movement, and a spring urging the cam in said take-updirection and against said keeper hous- '7. A latch device as claimed inclaim 5, comprising a spring urging the cam in said take-up directionand against said keeper housing.

8. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a doorpillar and comprising a pivotally movable keeper element, a holdingmechanism to be carried by a swinging door and comprising a bolt, meanspivotally mounting the bolt for movement between latched and unlatchedpositions, a movable take-up cam movable in take-up and anti-take-updirections and positioned in spaced relation to the bolt, said keeperstructure being positioned for reception between the bolt and cam indove-tail relation as the door closes and said keeper element beingdeflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as the doorcloses to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt,said cam having a surface progressively bearing against said keeperstructure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cambeing positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to bedisplaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such deflection of thekeeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position duringsaid overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then movingin a takeup direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrusttending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closingmovement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positivelymaintain the bolt in latched position, and means for releasing saidholding means, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with ashoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said anti-take-up direction.

9. A latch device as claimed in claim 8, comprising a spring constantlyexerting a force urging said bolt toward latched position.

10. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a doorpillar and comprising a pivotally movable keeper element, a holdingmechanism to be carried by a swinging door and comprising a bolt, meanspivotally mounting the bolt for movement between latched and unlatchedpositions, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions andpositioned in spaced relation to the bolt, said keeper structure beingpositioned for reception between the bolt and cam in dove-tail relationas the door closes and said keeper element being deflectible byengagement with a forward face of the bolt as the door closes tooverride the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said camhaving a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structureupon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam beingpositioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to bedisplaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such defiection of thekeeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position duringsaid overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then movingin a take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrusttending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closingmovement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positivelymaintain the bolt in latched position, a pivotal bolt setting memberengageable with the bolt, a spring urging said member to maintain saidbolt in latched position, and means for releasing said holding meansagainst the resistance of said setting member, said keeper elementhaving a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace thecam in said anti-take-up direction.

11. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a doorpillar and comprising a pivotally movable keeper element, a holdingmechanism to be carried by a swinging door and comprising a bolt, meanspivotally mounting the bolt for movement between latched and unlatchedpositions, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions andpositioned in spaced relation to the bolt, said keeper structure beingpositioned for reception between the bolt and cam in dove-tail relationas the door closes and said keeper element being deflectible byengagement with a forward face of the bolt as the door closes tooverride the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said camhaving a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structureupon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam beingpositioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to bedisplaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such de flection of thekeeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position duringsaid overriding. of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then movingin a take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrusttending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closingmovement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positivelymaintain the bolt in latched position, means for releasing said holdingmeans, and a member movable into and out of a position blocking saidholding means against bolt releasing movement, said keeper elementhaving a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace thecam in said antitake-up direction.

12. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a doorpillar and. comprising ture being positioned for reception between thebolt and cam in dove-tail relation as the door closes and said keeperelement being deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the boltas the door closes to override the bolt and then engage a rear face ofthe bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearing against saidkeeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction,said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at alocation to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon suchdeflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displacedposition during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, saidcam then moving in a take-up direction to exert against the keeperstructure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and door in afinal door closing movement, movable holding means engageable with saidbolt to positively maintain the bolt in latched position, and means forreleasing said holding means, said keeper element having a shoulderengageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in saidantitake-up direction.

13. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by afirst member and comprising a bolt movable between latched and unlatchedpositions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latchedposition, and a movable element positioned in spaced relation to saidbolt; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second member movablerelative to said first member and positioned for reception in dovetailrelation between and in engagement with said bolt and element, saidkeeper structure including means engageable with a rear face of saidbolt to hold the keeper structure and bolt against relative separatingmovement, said element being positioned at a location to be engaged anddisplaced by said keeper structure as said structure moves into saiddovetail relation between the bolt and element, said device includingmovable unlocking means for releasing said bolt retaining means topermit movement of the bolt to said unlatched position, said element andsaid unlocking means having shoulders interengageable to actuate theunlocking means and thereby release the bolt retaining means upon saiddisplacement of said element by the keeper structure.

14. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by afirst member and including a bolt movable between latched and unlatchedpositions, and retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt inlatched position; and a keeper structure to be carried by a secondmember movable relative to said first member and including a pivotallymovable latching keeper element deflectible by engagement with a forwardface of the bolt as the members move together to override the bolt andthen engage a rear face of the bolt, said device including a movablepart positioned at a location to be engaged and displaced by said keeperelement upon said deflection of the keeper element by the bolt, andincluding movable unlocking means for releasing said bolt retainingmeans to permit movement of the bolt to unlatched position, said partand said unlocking means having shoulders interengageable to actuate theunlocking means and thereby release the bolt retaining means upon saiddisplacement of said part by the keeper element.

15. A latch device as recited in claim 14 in which said movable part ispositioned in spaced relation to said bolt, and said keeper structure ispositioned for reception in dovetail relation between and in engagementwith said bolt and said movable part.

16. A latch device as recited in claim 15 including a spring yieldinglyresisting said displacement of the movable part, said keeper structureincluding a keeper housing against which said movable part bears inclosed condition of the device.

17. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by afirst member and comprising a bolt movable between latched and unlatchedpositions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latchedposition, cam means movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions andpositioned in spaced relation to said bolt, means for releasing saidholding means; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second membermovable relative to said first member and positioned for reception indovetail relation between and in engagement with said cam means andbolt, said keeper structure comprising a pivotally movable latchingkeeper element deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the boltas one of said members moves relative to the other to override the boltand then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam means having a surfaceprogressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of thecam means in said take-up direction, said keeper element having ashoulder engageable with a shoulder on said cam means and acting todisplace said cam means in anti-take-up direction upon such deflectionof the keeper element by the bolt and to hold the cam means in displacedposition during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, andsaid cam means then moving in said take-up direction to exert againstthe keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism andsaid keeper structure relatively together in a final closing movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,047,401 Whitted July 14, 1936 2,074,191 Roethel Mar. 16,1937 2,156,874 Schonitzer May 2, 1939 2,259,670 Van Voorhees Oct. 21,1941 2,276,325 Marple Mar. 17, 1942 2,427,511 Roethel Sept. 16, 19472,450,372 Craig Sept. 28, 1948 2,649,321 Smith Aug. 18, 1953

